Between January 1st and 9th, 2026, armed Fulani herdsmen murdered at least 12 Christians in Plateau State, located in central Nigeria
The attacks occurred in different predominantly Christian communities and left residents in a state of constant fear.
It all began on January 1st, during New Year’s celebrations.
Around midnight, Fulani militants invaded the village of Chugwi, in the Vom area, and killed seven Christians.
Days later, on the 5th, James Jatau was ambushed and killed while traveling along the Zirshe-Maiyanga route, in the Bassa region.
In the early morning of the 6th, Peter Danjuma was murdered in the community of Kissaloi, also in Bassa.
Later that same day, in the evening, Pius Luka, a 23-year-old man, was brutally murdered in Wvak, in the Jol district of Riyom.
Local leaders described the attack as “senseless and barbaric.”
On the night of the 7th, two Christians were ambushed while returning home by motorcycle on the road leading to the village of Foron, in Barkin Ladi.
Ayuba Choji, 44, was stabbed to death, while his companion survived but was injured.
The last recorded case occurred on the 9th, in broad daylight, in the Gero area, Gyel district, in Jos South.
Two Christians were attacked: one was stabbed to death and the other suffered serious injuries, requiring hospital treatment.
Community and political leaders in the region strongly condemned the violence, calling the attacks “inhuman” and demanding that security forces arrest those responsible and increase protection in rural areas.
Many residents question the effectiveness of the army’s presence and call for firmer government action to prevent further tragedies.
This wave of violence is part of a pattern of insecurity that has plagued central Nigeria for years, where conflicts between nomadic herders and farmers, often with religious dimensions, result in hundreds of deaths.
According to the Open Doors World Watch List report of 2026, Nigeria remains the country where the most Christians were murdered because of their faith between October 2024 and September 2025, with 3,490 deaths recorded-representing 72% of the world total.
The situation reinforces the feeling of vulnerability among Christian communities, who live under constant threat amidst a lack of effective security.
Published in 01/17/2026 13h53
Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.
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